Last updated: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:41:21
It is now Fri, 3 Sep 2010 19:05:23
Last updated: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:41:21
It is now Fri, 3 Sep 2010 19:05:23
[cwj17-givetreats.jpg] Give a tiny treat or two
One - or two - treats, or dogs? Two small treats should be fine. To keep your two - or more - dogs being good buddies, give all the dogs little treats.
Dogs learn by association. When they associate good things - treats - with injection time, they really don't mind the injections that much. Some don't mind them at all! It does take some practice to give painless injections, but once you get the hang of it, any pain you cause will be very rare.
Onc day I remarked to my vet that Kwali seemed slightly put out at my giving Kumbi so very much attention twice a day. My vet said she probably wanted her fair share of attention. I replied, "She doesn't want THAT kind of attention."
But then I asked my usual question of myself: What if I'm wrong? So I began giving Kwali fake injections, after actually injecting Kumbi. Kwali was very grateful, so I've done that ever since.
I DO have to take the precaution of making absolutely sure I don't inject the wrong dog! So Kumbi always gets his real injection before Kwali gets her fake one. Doing things in that order helps ensure I don't approach Kwali with a syringe loaded with insulin!
From the time you begin collecting the gear, through mixing the insulin in the vial, filling the syringe, putting the insulin away, getting the dose right, warming the insulin in the syringe, and finally, injecting the dog, you will find it takes about five to ten minutes per injection.
Imagine! Ten to twenty minutes a day, for two life-saving procedures!
When at first I'd feel somewhat anxious, I would say to myself, "This is a matter of life and death." As in fact, it is! And with that, I would go ahead, ignoring any discomfort I might have been feeling.
I leave it to you to decide what YOUR treat shall be for having the courage to stick needles into your dog. By all means, find yourself a lovely, lovely treat after each injection. Maybe one of your treats is the knowledge that you actually dared to save your dog's life, and to help your dog regain glowing good health, and to feel good, at that!
And finally, Remember to breathe!
This ends the basic section on giving insulin injections. I may have additions from time to time, or in other places.
